tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-62114735405301829292024-03-13T11:45:31.728-05:00Skerry StoryIn Spring 2010 I started my first and only (so far) boat building project.Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.comBlogger17125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-72997885814553351252011-10-22T12:28:00.000-05:002011-10-22T12:28:30.782-05:00DONE!! (mostly)<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ciKr-Ksemk/TqL1Yu4GinI/AAAAAAAAAM0/3IBc8Xnx-yM/s1600/untitled+shoot-197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ciKr-Ksemk/TqL1Yu4GinI/AAAAAAAAAM0/3IBc8Xnx-yM/s1600/untitled+shoot-197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ciKr-Ksemk/TqL1Yu4GinI/AAAAAAAAAM0/3IBc8Xnx-yM/s1600/untitled+shoot-197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">After two years of work my Skerry is complete, except for a few hardware and rigging issues. It's one of those things where you work and feel your way through an unfamiliar project until one day it hits you that you're finished, which is a very good feeling. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5N22d_43Uzc/TqL1JYzRHqI/AAAAAAAAAMU/7BjUY_cIPdM/s1600/untitled+shoot-158.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5N22d_43Uzc/TqL1JYzRHqI/AAAAAAAAAMU/7BjUY_cIPdM/s400/untitled+shoot-158.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>My finished Skerry, as yet unnamed</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKCKjEwOA1o/TqL1MStHuTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/4riKT-nqp1M/s1600/untitled+shoot-160.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YKCKjEwOA1o/TqL1MStHuTI/AAAAAAAAAMc/4riKT-nqp1M/s400/untitled+shoot-160.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>View of the rudder assembly with blade in up position</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvALWAQCUYY/TqL1V-ScOdI/AAAAAAAAAMs/JKnCBany4Xw/s1600/untitled+shoot-164.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YvALWAQCUYY/TqL1V-ScOdI/AAAAAAAAAMs/JKnCBany4Xw/s400/untitled+shoot-164.jpg" width="265" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Another view of the rudder showing the blade pull-down rope</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ciKr-Ksemk/TqL1Yu4GinI/AAAAAAAAAM0/3IBc8Xnx-yM/s1600/untitled+shoot-197.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-6ciKr-Ksemk/TqL1Yu4GinI/AAAAAAAAAM0/3IBc8Xnx-yM/s400/untitled+shoot-197.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>The modified mast partner on the forward seat</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<br />
<br />
Over the winter and next spring I will be working on rigging the balanced lug sail, yard and boom. I'll post some new photos when she's launched.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-1302246777251913902011-10-22T11:52:00.000-05:002011-10-22T11:52:31.522-05:00Daggerboard and Rudder Assembly<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7dhDuIoyq8/TqLsO48YifI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ao-lW2LY06M/s1600/septic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7dhDuIoyq8/TqLsO48YifI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ao-lW2LY06M/s320/septic.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Daggerboard after sanding</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe_l_cqCLZ0/TqLsGpyKElI/AAAAAAAAALk/MbH99UO6328/s1600/septic-6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Oe_l_cqCLZ0/TqLsGpyKElI/AAAAAAAAALk/MbH99UO6328/s320/septic-6.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Drying varnish with shop lamps</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7dhDuIoyq8/TqLsO48YifI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ao-lW2LY06M/s1600/septic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w7dhDuIoyq8/TqLsO48YifI/AAAAAAAAAL8/ao-lW2LY06M/s1600/septic.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">Although very straightforward to construct, the daggerboard and kick-up type rudder assembly were the most time consuming parts of the sail kit. The daggerboard was the simplest: glue on handle cheeks, then feather leading and trailing edges with the sander. Three coats of epoxy and three or more coats of varnish. I decided to oil the handle which provides UV protection and feels better to the hand.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;">The rudder blade went in similar fashion: feathering, epoxy, and varnish.</div><div><br />
</div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6AMWSrrje8/TqLsCR7T_gI/AAAAAAAAALU/cu1OuWvnEnU/s1600/septic-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-h6AMWSrrje8/TqLsCR7T_gI/AAAAAAAAALU/cu1OuWvnEnU/s320/septic-2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rudder blade after sanding</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28BEfxNd10A/TqLsMZg6LMI/AAAAAAAAAL0/lpsTMh3vh7o/s1600/septic-15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-28BEfxNd10A/TqLsMZg6LMI/AAAAAAAAAL0/lpsTMh3vh7o/s320/septic-15.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Rudder blade pull up hole</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table> In order to bring the kick-up rudder blade back to vertical position a rope has to pass through the rudder head and be attached to the blade by means of a knot hole. Following some advice on the CLC Builders' Forum I over-drilled the rudder blade knot hole and then filled it with wood powder epoxy, let it cure, then drilled the half inch hole through the epoxy. This insures the wood around the hole doesn't deteriorate from water saturation. Because I feathered the trailing edge of the blade above the hole position ( a screw-up on my part) I had to thicken and reshape the edge adjacent to the half inch hole with epoxy and then drill the quarter inch rope hole into the edge radial to the half inch hole. Once again wood thickened epoxy comes to the rescue.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6bUVbu461M/TqLsQrxIlLI/AAAAAAAAAME/d8bweD5ECI8/s1600/untitled+shoot-026.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-U6bUVbu461M/TqLsQrxIlLI/AAAAAAAAAME/d8bweD5ECI8/s320/untitled+shoot-026.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><b>Glueing the rudder head</b></td></tr>
</tbody></table> The rudder head consists of two external "cheeks" and two internal pieces that form the rope channel. All are glued together, epoxied and varnished. The tiller fits on the top and at right angles to the head, glued then the contact is filleted with wood thickened epoxy. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-8669470434729073912011-09-26T16:15:00.000-05:002011-09-26T16:15:29.765-05:00Oars<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">All that had to be done with the oars was add the leathers which was a lot easier than anticipated. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0_xdGJHhw0/ToDq7EFEPBI/AAAAAAAAALQ/ww27e2ajzlw/s1600/septic-3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-X0_xdGJHhw0/ToDq7EFEPBI/AAAAAAAAALQ/ww27e2ajzlw/s400/septic-3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-64193789607874038992011-09-26T16:11:00.000-05:002011-09-26T16:11:42.902-05:00Mast, etc. Finishing the mast, boom and yard (for balanced lug) went pretty smoothly. I made a couple of changes, though, from plan. First, I was a little worried about the strength of the mast scarf joint so a couple of dowels were drilled and epoxied into the joint.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9D2HobGfI4/ToDmldORNoI/AAAAAAAAALE/OYwoLgU5bys/s1600/untitled+shoot-024.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K9D2HobGfI4/ToDmldORNoI/AAAAAAAAALE/OYwoLgU5bys/s400/untitled+shoot-024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiJl-LZUNnc/ToDmokADQlI/AAAAAAAAALI/yLe3mn--Rsg/s1600/untitled+shoot-025.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GiJl-LZUNnc/ToDmokADQlI/AAAAAAAAALI/yLe3mn--Rsg/s400/untitled+shoot-025.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMZPKSxR70g/ToDmqnjrwAI/AAAAAAAAALM/a5vkizmygBI/s1600/untitled+shoot-031.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XMZPKSxR70g/ToDmqnjrwAI/AAAAAAAAALM/a5vkizmygBI/s400/untitled+shoot-031.jpg" width="265" /></a></div> <br />
Because of the way I plan to rig the balanced lug, I decided to form a round rather than square mast, as supplied by CLC. After some calculations I planed enough of the square corners and then the resulting angles off the mast to create a close approximation of a round mast. I ended up with a little less than a two inch diameter, which may or may not be strong enough for 57 square feet of sail. If it doesn't work (punt) there is a plan for making a more stout mast next year.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WnxvdN5NU4/ToDmjHlL66I/AAAAAAAAALA/FaXuv3_eQFg/s1600/septic-4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-2WnxvdN5NU4/ToDmjHlL66I/AAAAAAAAALA/FaXuv3_eQFg/s400/septic-4.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
One thing I discovered was that the use of these V-shaped rests really help when planing and sanding to steady the spars. <br />
<br />
No epoxy was applied to the spars. When varnishing the spars they rested on a couple of half inch dowels to keep them off the bench. That way I could varnish the entire spar at once instead of in two or three sessions. Three coats of varnish and done.Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-92085645934186501792011-09-26T15:51:00.000-05:002011-09-26T15:51:58.597-05:00A belated updateI've been working all year on the boat but have been remiss in updating this blog, so here is the progress I've made on my Skerry:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7X2mu7iPZNU/ToDgFjWnvII/AAAAAAAAAKw/CHrNic_U2yo/s1600/securedownload.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-7X2mu7iPZNU/ToDgFjWnvII/AAAAAAAAAKw/CHrNic_U2yo/s320/securedownload.jpeg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
When I resumed work in the spring 2011 I finished sanding the epoxy coats on the interior and began to sand the epoxy on the exterior of the hull which proved to be a lot quicker and easier.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l88OpZoJhzE/ToDgHQDKOiI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ucQ-0JX51MU/s1600/untitled+shoot-030.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l88OpZoJhzE/ToDgHQDKOiI/AAAAAAAAAK0/ucQ-0JX51MU/s320/untitled+shoot-030.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
After sanding, I applied two coats of primer and then three coats of Interlux Brightsides paint to the hull, with sanding in between each coat. I thinned the paint with 10% thinner, applied with a thin foam roller and tipped all bubbles with a foam brush. This process seemed to work pretty well with minimal runs and brush marks.<br />
<br />
I made the decision to purchase the sail kit, but decided to go with a balanced lug rig sail instead of the sprit sail. For this configuration the sailmaker recommended that the sail be lowered on the mast and that the standard mast be raked 7 degrees aft to keep the sail CE directly above the daggerboard.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCl2-5WswWs/ToDjdR2K8mI/AAAAAAAAAK4/PsvybwnE_sU/s1600/untitled+shoot-028.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: justify;"><img border="0" height="265" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-xCl2-5WswWs/ToDjdR2K8mI/AAAAAAAAAK4/PsvybwnE_sU/s400/untitled+shoot-028.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bY0aylw72Ro/ToDje1I6inI/AAAAAAAAAK8/3GEzozVRL88/s1600/untitled+shoot-029.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-bY0aylw72Ro/ToDje1I6inI/AAAAAAAAAK8/3GEzozVRL88/s400/untitled+shoot-029.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><br />
<br />
<br />
To accomplish that end I installed the mast step per plan, then designed a new mast partner on the forward seat lip, moving the hole aft about 1.2 inches which will rake the mast the required amount. Once glued and screwed in place it's really solid.<br />
<br />
Next I applied three coats of varnish to the interior.Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-41482420940822952402010-10-31T13:10:00.000-05:002010-10-31T13:10:28.285-05:00Seats are IN!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jIcB7j1I/AAAAAAAAAKM/lK-Z9olLXVM/s1600/DSC04114.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jIcB7j1I/AAAAAAAAAKM/lK-Z9olLXVM/s320/DSC04114.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I was really dreading installing the seats because of what I thought were some wide gaps between the seats (especially the aft seat) and the hull sides. I spent a lot of time trimming the seat supports and seat slots to try to minimize the gaps.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jK7_mnJI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/8knMy2I8Ubc/s1600/DSC04115.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jK7_mnJI/AAAAAAAAAKQ/8knMy2I8Ubc/s320/DSC04115.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">However, after weeks of agonizing over the issue, I found that mixing the fillet epoxy so it was really <i>really</i> thick was the answer. This helped to hold it in place in the wider gaps until it hardened. I got this trick off one of the online boat building forums, which are proving to be invaluable for the project. In this case, many cooks enhance the broth.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jZ-dQdNI/AAAAAAAAAKY/nQvet4C1WqU/s1600/DSC04125.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jZ-dQdNI/AAAAAAAAAKY/nQvet4C1WqU/s320/DSC04125.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> Next the boat was flipped over to make the fillets on the underside of the seats. With almost all the basic components in place the boat is now approaching its full weight and feels very stiff. Even though I didn't get as far in this project as I had hoped this year the impression of substance gives me a great feeling of satisfaction.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jbisLrbI/AAAAAAAAAKc/-JIDH311FpQ/s1600/DSC04128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jbisLrbI/AAAAAAAAAKc/-JIDH311FpQ/s320/DSC04128.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2nqWpQdnI/AAAAAAAAAKk/nA9wOngsjXk/s1600/DSC04127.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2nqWpQdnI/AAAAAAAAAKk/nA9wOngsjXk/s320/DSC04127.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Shop lights keep things warm while the epoxy fillets cure. It's getting down to the freezing mark at night now. After about 24 hours of curing with the lights we had an 18 hour power outage due to the upper midwest "landicane". I think (hope) that the curing had progressed enough that the cool off didn't cause any major problems.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jX_n-sfI/AAAAAAAAAKU/rX07K0U2JpQ/s1600/DSC04119.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jX_n-sfI/AAAAAAAAAKU/rX07K0U2JpQ/s320/DSC04119.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It's not even making it to 50 degrees F. during the day. My boat building season is drawing to a close.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jeKKEOMI/AAAAAAAAAKg/PSSYZz_3Ab8/s1600/DSC04130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2jeKKEOMI/AAAAAAAAAKg/PSSYZz_3Ab8/s320/DSC04130.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">So this is where things will end for the year, unless I order the sail kit and assemble some of it in the warmth of our Minneapolis townhome. Next up for the hull in the spring will be sanding the exterior.</div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-30399209364961278952010-10-31T12:09:00.000-05:002010-10-31T12:09:30.897-05:00The Daggerboard Trunk<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2euxLeKVI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jXhFhSGJxmo/s1600/DSC04116.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2euxLeKVI/AAAAAAAAAJs/jXhFhSGJxmo/s320/DSC04116.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;">Finally! With the help of friend and neighbor Dave the daggerboard trunk was installed.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2fMGNm2gI/AAAAAAAAAKI/sSu7Q4WAq4Y/s1600/DSC04118.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2fMGNm2gI/AAAAAAAAAKI/sSu7Q4WAq4Y/s320/DSC04118.jpg" width="320" /></a>.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Fitting some parts require more than one set of hands and the trunk is one of them.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e4Z3zEaI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KKJXW5cTwSU/s1600/DSC04117.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e4Z3zEaI/AAAAAAAAAJ0/KKJXW5cTwSU/s320/DSC04117.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">After the center seat was glued and filleted into place, I cut the hole for access to the trunk. This was a second good excuse for buying my router. The saw rasp trimmed the slot up along with my Dremmel.</div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e6ocizjI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/h-OAoOQytdI/s1600/DSC04122.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e6ocizjI/AAAAAAAAAJ4/h-OAoOQytdI/s320/DSC04122.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">A slot also needed to be cut in the bottom of the hull for the daggerboard using the same equipment. </div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e9epjNXI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/FulMjM0I92c/s1600/DSC04124.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e9epjNXI/AAAAAAAAAJ8/FulMjM0I92c/s320/DSC04124.jpg" width="320" /></a></div> You get one shot only so this was a little bit of a gut check to cut a hole in the hull I labored on for so long.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e_cMIMYI/AAAAAAAAAKA/1AmyF1SqV3w/s1600/DSC04129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TM2e_cMIMYI/AAAAAAAAAKA/1AmyF1SqV3w/s320/DSC04129.jpg" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">But all went well. Skeg and daggerboard slot line up just like they're supposed to.</div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-15856836005780108992010-09-14T16:24:00.000-05:002010-09-14T16:24:17.393-05:00The Daggerboard TrunkFor a pretty straightforward item, assembling and finishing this part seemed to take forever. The main issue was not realizing that there is supposed to be a very slight curve to the bottom of the trunk to conform to the bottom of the interior hull. I didn't realize this right away and had to back up a step in the assembly, which took a couple of extra days. I had epoxyed the wrong side of one of the planks and had to coat the other side before gluing it together.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_mlmcM3sI/AAAAAAAAAJc/raCF8hhQZVM/s1600/DSC03941.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_mlmcM3sI/AAAAAAAAAJc/raCF8hhQZVM/s400/DSC03941.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Night time temperatures are now down in the 40's and 30's again which really slows up the cure times. Epoxy that would cure and be ready for sanding overnight a couple of weeks ago now has to sit for 48 hours due to the low temps, even with the help of my incandescent shop light.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_msOUZJyI/AAAAAAAAAJk/qSifqcy95o0/s1600/DSC03942.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_msOUZJyI/AAAAAAAAAJk/qSifqcy95o0/s400/DSC03942.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div>Anyway its now done and ready for sanding and installing under the center seat. All three seats are also sanded and ready for installation.Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-10415378134317873152010-09-14T16:13:00.000-05:002010-09-14T16:13:11.941-05:00Lots of Sanding and a Little Wildlife Diversion<div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The dog days of summer have given way to the dog days of epoxy sanding. In order for the varnish or paint to properly stick to epoxy and look smooth the entire interior and exterior of the hull, frames and seats must be sanded to a dull gray finish. Before the seats go in is the best time to do this to the interior and that's what I spent the better part of the week doing and it's not finished yet. Starting with 80 grit then 120 then 220 the object is to flatten the surface, eliminating all small circular shiny spots that indicate small depressions. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">This is all easier said than done. As you sand a film of white epoxy dust builds up and it's tough to see how much progress is being made. You have to remove the dust with a shop vac after each effort.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_esfKkxGI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jmPhwfSXmrs/s1600/DSC03940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_esfKkxGI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jmPhwfSXmrs/s1600/DSC03940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><br />
</a><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_eTY9oxpI/AAAAAAAAAI0/POK-5lqtYOo/s1600/DSC03925.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_eTY9oxpI/AAAAAAAAAI0/POK-5lqtYOo/s400/DSC03925.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">It also involves lots of bending at the waist to reach the bottom of the boat. Every once in a while you accidentally go through the epoxy to the wood. That area then has to be recoated, cured and re-sanded.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_egimocGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/11gxZJZ-dGE/s1600/DSC03929.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_egimocGI/AAAAAAAAAJE/11gxZJZ-dGE/s400/DSC03929.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">The random orbital sander works great for the open areas but I had trouble getting into the interior stems, the upright frames and where the planks come together. For a while I thought I was condemned to hand sanding for these areas.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_eZgkUFJI/AAAAAAAAAI8/20jyGf790tM/s1600/DSC03919.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="display: inline !important; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_eZgkUFJI/AAAAAAAAAI8/20jyGf790tM/s400/DSC03919.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Thankfully I discovered the Black and Decker Mouse which weighs a fraction of the ROS and has a narrow enough sanding pad to get into most of the tight spaces.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"> <a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_enrSP5yI/AAAAAAAAAJM/5FMy0CIiRco/s1600/DSC03943.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_enrSP5yI/AAAAAAAAAJM/5FMy0CIiRco/s400/DSC03943.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">I'll probably have to go over everything with 220 grit the next session, but I feel pretty close to being done with the interior.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_esfKkxGI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jmPhwfSXmrs/s1600/DSC03940.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TI_esfKkxGI/AAAAAAAAAJU/jmPhwfSXmrs/s400/DSC03940.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">Meanwhile, back in Nature: Cheryl took this shot one morning of our local eagle dismembering a fish on our dock. You'll notice he isn't fazed by the scary plastic owl on the upright.</div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-43458137933116710002010-08-23T15:27:00.000-05:002010-08-23T15:27:40.517-05:00Starting on the inside<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>I now had to flip over the boat. This action is turning out to be somewhat problematic since I can't do it myself. Because there are seldom any people around who could help me (or any people period) I have to time the "flipping" when my wife is around. The boat is getting a little heavier with each step, so I hope she can continue to help me with this.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTX86xRyI/AAAAAAAAAIU/nDTxPcJe5us/s1600/DSC03914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTX86xRyI/AAAAAAAAAIU/nDTxPcJe5us/s400/DSC03914.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>This is the part where the grunt work really begins, I think. I couldn't reach the middle of the interior of the boat because the saw horses I have are too tall, so I had to cobble together a couple of supports that were no more than 18 inches or so high. I sanded the entire interior, then vacuumed the dust out. Fillets were applied to the joint between the bottom and number one panel. While the fillets were still wet I dropped in four pieces of fiber glass cloth, one in each of the four compartments separated by the seat supports. Straight epoxy is then applied to the cloth until it's pretty transparent. After it stiffens somewhat I trimmed off the excess cloth. This was a much more difficult job than fiber glassing the outside of the hull. In spite of thinking that I ensured the cloth was perfectly flat I had some bubbles under the cloth the next morning. I was able to push these flat because, luckily, the epoxy was still wet. I don't think they'll be too noticeable when everything is done. I filled in any remaining stitch holes that were open, then another layer of epoxy to the entire interior, wait, sand, vacuum, epoxy. I'll have to sand everything one more time in preparation for the varnishing before installation of the seats, but won't get it done this trip.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTas50yEI/AAAAAAAAAIc/uTpLVu5jcjY/s1600/DSC03915.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTas50yEI/AAAAAAAAAIc/uTpLVu5jcjY/s400/DSC03915.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>Another view after the third coat.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTUPsgtoI/AAAAAAAAAIM/3NiBTRtrJaM/s1600/DSC03913.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTUPsgtoI/AAAAAAAAAIM/3NiBTRtrJaM/s400/DSC03913.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>I test fit the seats and they went in place reasonably well, except for the stern seat. I'll have to deal with that next trip. I beveled the edges of the seats after the test fit and sanded everything smooth, especially the edges that will be visible.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTekSSznI/AAAAAAAAAIk/icw0oLsjFpg/s1600/DSC03916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLTekSSznI/AAAAAAAAAIk/icw0oLsjFpg/s640/DSC03916.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>Two coats of epoxy need to be applied to both sides of all seats.Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-42134237353948500612010-08-23T14:56:00.000-05:002010-08-23T14:56:51.203-05:00The Skeg<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';">The skeg is the "fin" in the bottom of the stern that helps the boat track properly. Installing it is a fairly straightforward procedure:</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLM9H8RWyI/AAAAAAAAAHk/nmdrHvR3W2M/s1600/DSC03908.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLM9H8RWyI/AAAAAAAAAHk/nmdrHvR3W2M/s400/DSC03908.jpg" width="300" /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande';"><br />
</span><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'Lucida Grande'; font-size: small;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 11px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">I've marked the skeg position and also where the four screws go. They are drilled from the top, then I went underneath to drill counter sunk holes.</span></span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLM_hx49YI/AAAAAAAAAHs/aTyCQLNx_lw/s1600/DSC03909.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLM_hx49YI/AAAAAAAAAHs/aTyCQLNx_lw/s320/DSC03909.jpg" /></a></div>After making sure the skeg is plumb to the bottom, the surface of the contact points of the skeg and bottom are coated with epoxy thickened with silica, the skeg is applied in the measured position and then the wood screws are sunk from the inside of the boat into the skeg.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLNCf9P3gI/AAAAAAAAAH0/64mF0GXDHPA/s1600/DSC03910.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLNCf9P3gI/AAAAAAAAAH0/64mF0GXDHPA/s400/DSC03910.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>The "tail" was a little warped so I forced it into a centered position with duct tape.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLNGTz4vYI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Q91AUogvFxs/s1600/DSC03911.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLNGTz4vYI/AAAAAAAAAH8/Q91AUogvFxs/s400/DSC03911.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>A fillet of wood powder thickened epoxy is applied to the angle formed by the skeg and bottom.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLNMKd2GKI/AAAAAAAAAIE/aNJmuWTaWDk/s1600/DSC03912.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLNMKd2GKI/AAAAAAAAAIE/aNJmuWTaWDk/s400/DSC03912.jpg" width="300" /></a></div>There was quite a bit of rasping and sanding to get the "tail" to blend into the stern stem, but it turned out pretty well. Another strip of wood is tacked and epoxied to the bottom edge of the skeg (called a wormscrew) which will absorb most of the abuse and can be replaced if too worn, leaving the skeg unharmed. After some more sanding, etc. three coats of epoxy are applied. </div></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-27353319598167599622010-08-23T14:31:00.000-05:002010-08-23T14:31:36.515-05:00Finishing the rails<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLIcv3lwzI/AAAAAAAAAHU/gNAVrX4weQ8/s1600/DSC03907.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/THLIcv3lwzI/AAAAAAAAAHU/gNAVrX4weQ8/s400/DSC03907.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>When I resumed work the first task was to finish the rails. Unfortunately I didn't take many pictures of this process. After practicing on scrap with my new router and 3/8" roundover bit, I more or less successfully added a rounded edge to the top of the rails. I used my sander to remove a few gouges, etc. Next (as seen in the photo) I planed the excess off the bottom of the outside rail to match where the inner rail was trimmed before installation. I wanted to stain the rails a dark walnut shade, so I proceeded to do that, applied a first coat of epoxy after letting the stain dry overnight, and then let the epoxy dry. You're supposed to sand in between the two to three epoxy coats. When I did that the stain started to come off in patches and looked terrible. I might have used the wrong type of stain. Anyway that meant re-sanding the entire rails AND the breasthooks which created another problem: the breasthook wood is not solid but laminated with different types of wood. After sanding the hooks for the second time I broke through the first lamination and I decided to sand the entire surface of the hooks to the same depth. This doesn't look as nice as I had hoped, but it's not terrible.Then two coats of epoxy was re-applied to the rails and hooks . . . a very frustrating experience, but I'm moving on.Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-81910147795363374032010-07-28T17:13:00.003-05:002010-07-28T18:07:15.796-05:00Applying the Rails<div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TFCsGR9gJjI/AAAAAAAAAGo/LjsShE-GVYU/s320/DSC03797.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499084368919930418" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I managed to get both rails on this week and it wasn't as tough as I thought. The glueing together of the rail pieces that I did last week worked well with no separation issues when I inspected them. One of the rails was slightly out of alignment where the last short piece was glued to the second longer section, but that turned out to be a non-problem when I went to glue it to the hull. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Most of the first day was spent planing the taper of the bow ends of the two inner rails as advised by the instructions and then cleaning up excess epoxy by planing, sanding, etc. I'm a pretty slow planer but I'm getting better. Each inner rail was then dry fitted to the edge of the sheer by means of clamps and then two countersunk holes were drilled into the breast hooks on each side through both rails. The wood used for the rails is extremely hard and I was forced to discover the higher speed setting on my cordless drill. One rail is removed, both contact surfaces are covered with epoxy, the rail is then wrestled into position and the two wood screws are driven through the rail into the bow breast hook side. Then it's simply a matter of applying the rail progressively toward the stern, attaching clamps as you go. When you get to the stern breast hook two more holes are drilled and screws driven home. Then you do the other side. I managed to use every c-clamp, spring and spanner clamp I had, 39 in all! CLC says that 15 is the minimum and 30 is better but 45 would be even better, with most of them being c-clamps.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TFCsGlRyCjI/AAAAAAAAAGw/fBTHGAH3X7Q/s320/DSC03800.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499084374105262642" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I can't imagine attempting to do this with just 15 clamps. You're not so much bending the rail to the sheer as pulling the sheer out to meet the rail, and for this reason the much more powerful c-clamps are more useful.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The instruction book says to rasp both stems down to a one inch flat surface, but I just noticed that the photos in the book show the top of the stems are left pointed, which is news to me. In the shot at the left you can see a gap is created between the rails and the prow because I flattened the stem some in this area as well. I'm going to have to modify both points when it comes to planing down the rails to a "pleasing shape" as CLC says, and I have a plan for this.</span></div><div><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TFCsHh2mhjI/AAAAAAAAAHI/cyb-PnHZRjQ/s1600/DSC03863.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TFCsHh2mhjI/AAAAAAAAAHI/cyb-PnHZRjQ/s320/DSC03863.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499084390365824562" /></a><div>After letting the inner rails cure for 24 hours minimum the 8 wood screws are removed from the bow and stern. Mercifully, the rails didn't pop off the boat when I did this. I'm getting more and more confident of the holding power of the epoxy. The second, outer set of rails is attached in the same manner as the inner ones. Here the spring clamps are almost useless because you're pulling not only the sheer but also the inner rails out to meet the outer rail. A 48 hour cure time is needed now at 70 degrees. No problem because I have to be back in Minneapolis until sometime next week.<br /><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TFCsG_3IbNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/wd-ZTmNNP8s/s1600/DSC03859.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TFCsG_3IbNI/AAAAAAAAAG4/wd-ZTmNNP8s/s320/DSC03859.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5499084381241240786" /></a>Next week: rounding the top outer edge of the rails and shaping the points. I'm thinking of buying or borrowing a router to save on sanding time.<br /><br /></div></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-33445480447550448852010-07-19T10:08:00.005-05:002010-07-28T17:13:33.111-05:00A productive week<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERyzg2IUrI/AAAAAAAAAGg/IsIWWzlJBxY/s1600/7-17-1010.jpg"></a><div><br /></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq1_LgS8I/AAAAAAAAAF4/gdqUkEA_6Sc/s320/7-17-1012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495634921024146370" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">The picture at left shows my shop set up which consists of our garage, four sawhorses and an old picnic table, which I can convert into a twelve foot long workbench with the addition of two pieces of particle board when needed. Due to my permanent workbench and wall storage in the rear of the garage, my assembled boat hull just fits with a couple of feet of work space at the bow and stern. I'm using almost the entire available floor area for the project. I've read that some people have assembled Skerrys and kayak kits in basements and apartments. I'm sure this can be done, but I'm glad I have this venue and could even use a little more space than I have.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">I started out the week with final sanding of the hull. I had previously filled in the all the stitch holes with wood fiber thickened epoxy, which leaves brown marks around each hole. Since I'd already decided to paint the hull I wasn't too concerned with eliminating all remnants of these marks by a thorough sanding. I was also a little gun shy after sanding through the veneer around the puzzle joints in a couple of places. It's not real clear in the instruction book whether brown marks as opposed to blobs of thickened epoxy would disappear after applying the subsequent coats of clear epoxy, so I was curious what would happen. Well, they don't disappear. That's a lesson I'll remember when finishing the interior which I plan to leave "bright" or natural, with just a coat of varnish over the clear epoxy.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">After sanding I cleaned the hull by first vacuuming and then wiping down with denatured alcohol. The bottom panel and adjacent garboards were to be covered with fiberglass cloth, a process that I dreaded a little due to an unfortunate past experience. All went well, though, and I was able to smooth and stretch the cloth with clear epoxy applied with a vinyl squeegee and it conformed perfectly to the bottom. This slow curing epoxy is really easy to work with in these situations, giving you plenty of time to fix little imperfections. </span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq3nGwZRI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2P7ZdUY03co/s1600/7-17-107.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq3nGwZRI/AAAAAAAAAGQ/2P7ZdUY03co/s320/7-17-107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495634948921517330" /></a>Two more coats of clear epoxy over the entire hull, applied with a roller and then tipped out with a foam brush, separated by at least five or six hours of curing time and I was done. It turned out pretty nice. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq22lyvMI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Qxp1S5yxaR0/s1600/7-17-103.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq22lyvMI/AAAAAAAAAGI/Qxp1S5yxaR0/s320/7-17-103.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495634935898356930" /></a>Next was the installation of the breast hooks. There was some rasping and sanding involved to make sure the pieces conformed to the shape of the sheers, fore and aft. The Shinto saw rasp is really coming in handy for these types of tasks. The hooks were then glued and screwed into place.</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /><div><br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq2uvEdzI/AAAAAAAAAGA/bE2Ev3CE2jg/s1600/7-17-1010.jpg"></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERq4Y42sLI/AAAAAAAAAGY/vRQe_--g2LI/s320/7-17-108.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495634962284982450" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; ">Since I would have to return to Minneapolis for a few days I decided to get some of the time consuming gluing out of the way. The first was the rails which are four in number and come in three pieces each, with the scarfs mercifully pre-cut. As these will be under a lot of stress when fastened to the sheer the manual recommends letting the epoxy cure for a minimum of 48 hours. I'm starting to use the mass quantities of spring clamps and C-clamps I've purchased.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="-webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TERyzg2IUrI/AAAAAAAAAGg/IsIWWzlJBxY/s320/7-17-1010.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5495643674614715058" style="float: left; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></span></div><div>I skipped ahead in the manual and found that I needed to glue together two identical skeg (goes on the bottom of the hull) pieces at some point, so I decided to do that now. I could now leave my north woods workshop secure in the knowledge that for a time at least my project was taking care of itself.</div><div><br /></div><div>When I return I've some planing of the assembled rail pieces to do. Then I'll start to install the gunnel rails (inwales and outwales in boat jargon), another adventure for sure.</div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-3724861378793593082010-07-01T20:35:00.001-05:002010-07-01T21:28:42.874-05:00Manual labor<div>This session I was able deal with the gaps between the forward support and the hull and the other somewhat more worrisome gaps in the stern stem. Both of these were solved with wood dust thickened epoxy. First I tacked all the supports to the hull, let the epoxy cure and then was able to remove the copper support stitches. I then filled the gaps and the stitch drill holes.</div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DJGQmEHI/AAAAAAAAAEg/knE5km60AL8/s1600/7-1-102.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DJGQmEHI/AAAAAAAAAEg/knE5km60AL8/s320/7-1-102.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117344412602482" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>I laid a 3/4" fillet of thickened epoxy on the inside of both stems, covered the fillet with 3" wide fiber glass cloth and allowed it to cure for 48 hours (because we still don't have 24 hours of continuous 74 degrees even though it's almost July). Waiting for the cure is the most frustrating aspect of this project, so far.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DIqyArcI/AAAAAAAAAEY/b7xQgOJBZ2o/s1600/7-1-101.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DIqyArcI/AAAAAAAAAEY/b7xQgOJBZ2o/s320/7-1-101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117337036565954" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px; " /></a></div><div>After curing I could remove the last of the copper stitches (a milestone) from the stems and, <span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0">hallelujah</span>, they didn't spring apart on me! Next I rasped and planed until I had a one inch flat spot the entire length of both stems, about 3 hours worth. This was my introduction to the more physical aspects of boat building.</div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DKnbKRII/AAAAAAAAAE4/jBKYIp7gmRI/s320/7-1-106.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117370495157378" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></span></div>Cleaning up the hull is next. I found that cabinet scrapers, which I've never used before, are great for removing unwanted epoxy without the noise and vibration of a random orbital sander, but you have to re-install the bur on the edge of the scraper about every 5 minutes. I think this tool will really come in handy for smoothing out the several coats of epoxy on the hull.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXfF-msI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ByeN43Eq8aM/s1600/7-1-1012.jpg"><br /><br /></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DJkwaTKI/AAAAAAAAAEo/TrX-moePktY/s1600/7-1-105.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DJkwaTKI/AAAAAAAAAEo/TrX-moePktY/s320/7-1-105.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117352599112866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>For rounding chines and general smoothing, though, the sander is indispensable. I also used my rabbet plane for cleaning up the laps between the planks.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXfF-msI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ByeN43Eq8aM/s1600/7-1-1012.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><br /><br /></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DKAJFMqI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ecGfiW0_91s/s1600/7-1-107.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DKAJFMqI/AAAAAAAAAEw/ecGfiW0_91s/s320/7-1-107.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117359950344866" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a><br /></div><div>Another issue that has been bugging me was the fact that two of the planks arrived from the factory with broken half puzzle joints. I was assured by the CLC help line that since I planned on painting the hull I could, again, solve this issue with thickened epoxy. And they were right, I did. Cured epoxy can be formed to a shape and then rasped or planed just like wood.</div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXNPs3kI/AAAAAAAAAFA/7rwZTGiCJ0k/s1600/7-1-1013.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXNPs3kI/AAAAAAAAAFA/7rwZTGiCJ0k/s320/7-1-1013.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117586806070850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " /></a></div><div>After the equivalent of 14 hours over three days, covered from head to foot in sawdust and with more than a few muscles sore, I'm generally satisfied that the hull is ready for fiber glassing, which will happen in the next session.<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXfF-msI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ByeN43Eq8aM/s1600/7-1-1012.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXfF-msI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ByeN43Eq8aM/s1600/7-1-1012.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px; " src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DXfF-msI/AAAAAAAAAFI/ByeN43Eq8aM/s320/7-1-1012.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5489117591597128386" /></a><br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TC1DKnbKRII/AAAAAAAAAE4/jBKYIp7gmRI/s1600/7-1-106.jpg"><br /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-71793768666596928182010-06-16T10:36:00.000-05:002010-06-16T11:56:34.584-05:00Gluing, stitching and more gluing<div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Because you can't ship 15 foot long pieces of lumber very economically the bottom and side planks, among other components, are composed of two pieces that have to be glued together.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color: rgb(0, 0, 238); -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: underline; "><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjv_jRet8I/AAAAAAAAACg/EnLA4-IfZnQ/s200/DSC03085.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483396421402933186" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Above can be seen the "puzzle joints of the nos. 1, 2 and 3 side planks after </span><span class="blsp-spelling-corrected" id="SPELLING_ERROR_0"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">gluing</span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">. The shape of the joint makes it a lot easier to join the pieces with the proper alignment.</span></div><div><br /></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjw334ylAI/AAAAAAAAACo/-SzAXQU5WJA/s1600/DSC03087.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjw334ylAI/AAAAAAAAACo/-SzAXQU5WJA/s200/DSC03087.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483397389009196034" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The stitching process involves drilling a 1/16th in. hole every 4 inches or so along both edges of the bottom and planks and the 3 supports. A 3.5 to 5 inch copper wire is pushed through the holes and hand tightened. Later all the wires are completely tightened with a pliers so all the pieces fit together as tightly as possible. As will be seen that doesn't always work out perfectly, so other methods are used.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjw49lMmrI/AAAAAAAAAC4/U3skluNuLS8/s1600/DSC03076.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjw49lMmrI/AAAAAAAAAC4/U3skluNuLS8/s200/DSC03076.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483397407717497522" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Here I've stitched together the bottom and nos. 1 and 2 side planks and have added the upright supports.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxje78fiI/AAAAAAAAADQ/nadea6gn0ck/s1600/DSC03078.jpg"><img src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxje78fiI/AAAAAAAAADQ/nadea6gn0ck/s200/DSC03078.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398138225786402" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 150px; height: 200px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjw6WFyPxI/AAAAAAAAADI/s3WDQC7J-6k/s1600/DSC03079.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjw6WFyPxI/AAAAAAAAADI/s3WDQC7J-6k/s200/DSC03079.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483397431476502290" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBkBjnj7ViI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/-RURHnu-Dxo/s1600/DSC03082.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBkBjnj7ViI/AAAAAAAAAEQ/-RURHnu-Dxo/s200/DSC03082.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483415732727010850" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"> </span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBkBcUIYknI/AAAAAAAAAEI/hU-Vyn1XVEQ/s1600/DSC03083.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBkBcUIYknI/AAAAAAAAAEI/hU-Vyn1XVEQ/s200/DSC03083.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483415607252128370" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">All three side panels plus the bottom and supports are now stitched together and tightened as closely as I could. I had to move the stern support forward a small amount for a much better 3-dimensional fit. Some gaps can be seen between the front support and the port side and at the bow stem, but I'm told I can fix this with thickened epoxy later.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxj-GPTXI/AAAAAAAAADY/PZczfWkV7AM/s1600/DSC03095.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxj-GPTXI/AAAAAAAAADY/PZczfWkV7AM/s200/DSC03095.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398146590461298" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxkXN6ZaI/AAAAAAAAADg/XiUAKt7sqQs/s1600/DSC03096.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxkXN6ZaI/AAAAAAAAADg/XiUAKt7sqQs/s200/DSC03096.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398153333532066" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Here I'm tacking the bottom panel to the no. 1 plank and using a different mixture in a syringe to tack together between the side planks, avoiding getting epoxy on the wires. The big issue about working with epoxy is the cure time. This particular type needs 24 hours to cure at 75 degrees. For every 10 degrees less you need another 24 hours and you can't work under 55 degrees. In northern Wisconsin 75 degrees is hard to come by most of the year, so you have to compensate by providing a heat source or just waiting longer between steps. </span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjx2T4KhNI/AAAAAAAAAD4/2KKQkK3ov3I/s1600/DSC03099.jpg"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjx2T4KhNI/AAAAAAAAAD4/2KKQkK3ov3I/s200/DSC03099.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398461674652882" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">All the tacking is now complete, the epoxy has properly cured and I can begin removing most of the copper wires.</span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxk1_Rg6I/AAAAAAAAADo/lmnuWLLiYEo/s1600/DSC03097.jpg"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxk1_Rg6I/AAAAAAAAADo/lmnuWLLiYEo/s200/DSC03097.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398161593631650" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjx2i9YSgI/AAAAAAAAAEA/lSeaxuZijVo/s1600/DSC03101.jpg"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /></span></a><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxlcTdmEI/AAAAAAAAADw/sJaKH93c0X4/s1600/DSC03098.jpg"><img src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjxlcTdmEI/AAAAAAAAADw/sJaKH93c0X4/s200/DSC03098.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398171878856770" style="display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Now I fill in the gaps between the epoxy tacks on the bottom and side tacks and let it cure again.</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjx2i9YSgI/AAAAAAAAAEA/lSeaxuZijVo/s1600/DSC03101.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"></a></span></div><div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></div><div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjx2i9YSgI/AAAAAAAAAEA/lSeaxuZijVo/s1600/DSC03101.jpg" style="text-decoration: none;"><img style="text-align: left;display: block; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: auto; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: auto; cursor: pointer; width: 200px; height: 150px; " src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjx2i9YSgI/AAAAAAAAAEA/lSeaxuZijVo/s200/DSC03101.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5483398465723058690" /></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /><br /><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><br /></span></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="text-decoration: underline;"><br /></span></span></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBjv_jRet8I/AAAAAAAAACg/EnLA4-IfZnQ/s1600/DSC03085.jpg"></a><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6211473540530182929.post-26706420175672279102010-06-14T17:12:00.000-05:002010-06-14T18:13:17.505-05:00<div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Lucida Grande', serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" white-space: pre-wrap; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 2px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 2px; font-family:'Lucida Grande';font-size:11px;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">The boat I'm building is the Chesapeake Light Craft Skerry, the design of which is derivative of the small working sailboats of the British Isles. You'll have to go to the </span><a href="http://www.clcboats.com/shop/boats/wooden-sailboat-kits/skerry-rowing-sailing-dinghy-kit.html"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;">CLC website</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: medium;"> if you want to see what a finished Skerry looks like because their images are copyrighted. I liked the elegant look of it and appreciated the fact that it could be rowed as well. Having owned a 15 foot sloop rigged sailboat in the past I really liked the the Skerry's one-sail sprit rig for easy single handed use. So in early April I pulled the trigger and the kit was shipped to our lake house in NW Wisconsin, where I could make use of the garage as a workspace. The kit includes a 4x8' box with all the pre-cut wood components and a 2.2' box with the epoxy kit, fiberglass cloth, copper wire for stitches and other miscellaneous hardware. It's a kit so it's got to be easy, right? Will this be a "Scary Story" or a "Skerry Story"? Stay tuned.</span></div><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBapipTn3zI/AAAAAAAAACI/WhpW-Q4-XiY/s200/DSC03090.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482756009038962482" /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">Before I could begin I needed to buy and more importantly learn how to use some wordworking tools. I spent a couple of hours one Saturday morning in the Minneapolis branch of Rockler Woodworking learning the difference between a plywood block plane and planes for general use (the plywood one has a shallower angle of cut). The bottom plane in the photo is a rabbet plane for cutting a narrow groove in wood. I need to cut eight gains in various planks. A gain is a "descending rabbet" or one that goes from no depth on one end to full depth on the other. Both of these planes would have to be "tuned" (smoothing out the bottom surfaces with sandpaper) and the blades would have to properly sharpened before use, all of which took time. Who knew?</span></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBarpf5_o-I/AAAAAAAAACQ/3gtw4qaFOxU/s200/DSC03091.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482758325797888994" /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">This is a wheel marking gauge for scribing a line parallel to an edge, a big help in positioning the seemingly hundreds of holes I had to drill for the wire stitches that held the pieces together until they are glued</span>.</span></div><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBaunbjFtrI/AAAAAAAAACY/b2oBgsAlb1c/s1600/DSC03100.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 200px; height: 150px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_JuL1AOawjRc/TBaunbjFtrI/AAAAAAAAACY/b2oBgsAlb1c/s200/DSC03100.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482761588803221170" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: justify;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style=" ;font-size:medium;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;">The bottom photo is of the two-part epoxy that can be used to attach fiber glass cloth, as a glue, as a wood filler or as a wood coating, depending on what and how much wood powder or silica is added.</span></span></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div></div>Byron Bennetthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04316402937959921338noreply@blogger.com0